Malawi Expedition July 2014

Malawi Expedition - July 2014

I returned from Malawi on Sunday after an amazing 21 day trip.  We had a few challenges along the way including a 14 hour delay at Lusaka on the way out, 4 bags which turned up 24 hours later and a few tummy upsets.  But met some amazing people and had some great experiences during the trip, so this will be a fairly abbreviated summary of some of the key moments.

Arriving in Lilongwe

Our first night camp site before heading off to the project site.

Matapila School House Project

Mount Mulanje

After Matapila we headed south past Blantyre, to Mount Mulanje for a 3 day trek.

Lake Malawi and Liwonde National Park

For the last two stages of the trip we stopped off at Cape Maclear for a Kayak trip to Domwe Island on Lake Malawi and then headed to Liwonde Wild life park for the final leg of the trip.

Another unspoilt valley - Kentmere, on a hot sunny morning

Today I decided to explore some new fells - Green Quarter Fell, to the east of Kentmere which is usually overlooked in favour of the Kentmere round.  I only had a few hours and made an early start to avoid walking in the heat of the afternoon.  I arrived at the parking spot at the church just after 9 am and got the last space luckily.

   

         Picturesque views back towards Kentmere at start of walk

       The amusingly named Skeggles Water - there were lots of cows around the water edge

I have recently developed an awareness around cows - I avoid them or am very wary when therey have young calves with them.  

       Clear paths most of the way -except between Skeggles water and Holloow Moor 

      where I had to wade through thigh high tussocks 

        Descent back to Green Quarter - great view of Kentmere tarn but unfortunately 

        can hardly make it out in this photo

All in all a very pleasant half day walk-wouldn't have wanted to be out much longer in that heat.

Literally on our doorstep - Potter Fell and tarns

Decided to stay closer to home and looked to Wainwright for some inspiration in his volume The Outlying Fells of Lakeland.

Potter fell is easily accessed from Staveley and provides easy walking and quiet unspoilt views.

Firstly to Potter Tarn - a man made reservoir for the paper mill, but now no longer used

       Potter Tarn with the man made damn in sight, with great views back down to the valley

I tried to get to Brunt Knott after Potter Tarn, but was deterred by the endless network of walls, fences and barbed wire through which there appeared to be no obvious access.

Then next stop, Gurnal Dubs, natural and probably some time ago was more than one, but only one exists today.  A very pleasant spot, with an unused boathouse.  Ideal picnic stop

      On the way back, I spotted a couple swimming in the tarn - you can just see the heads

Then upto the small summit of Ulgraves, beating my way through the ferns and then a field full of cows.

      A surprisingly tall cairn on the summit of Ulgraves - it's only 332metres, but great views down the Longsleddale valley

Very lucky to have fells like this so close to home, and away from all the crowds. 

Will definitely visit again with a towel for paddling in the tarn

Exploring the hidden Howgills again

Another outing to the secret lands that are the Howgills.

A sunny day and hardly anyone around even though it was the weekend apart from one local walking his dog and a hardy sweaty mountain biker.  I also had the opportunity to practice my navigation and glad to say everything went smoothly.  The only thing to get lost that day were my sunglasses!

        On way upto Winder - you can see trig point in far distance

       Trig point and viewpoint at summit of Winder

       No trig point on the summit of Arant Howe- just a pile of stones

       The distinctive rounded humps of the Howgills

Yen going solo - mini cycle tour

I have decided to keep cycling whilst Kevin is away.  It never used to be an issue, but here in the Lakes, things always seem a bit more serious - hilly, a little remote , more blind bends, narrow lanes, tractors etc not that I'm a scaredy cat.

Refreshment stop at Waterhead, Ambleside, where I had a double local ice cream, and sat down to admire the view and watch the holiday makers.  I kept mainly to the quieter back lanes to be on the safe side.  Fuelled by ice cream I was faster on the return leg particularly as the sky started to look a bit ominous.

Where next?

Mont Blanc Massif - Reminiscing

Glorious weather in the Lakes, not so good in the Alps, unstable and lots of fresh snow.

Looking back at photos of a trip to Chamonix two years ago, and this one made me laugh.

What does a yoga teacher do on the summit of Mont Blanc du Tacul at 4248 metres?

Warrior 3 pose!

It was pretty misty so probably no views so I decided to strike a pose in full climbing kit after carefully placing my axe to one side!

Unsurprising my alignment and technique is not upto it's usual standards.

Looking forward to our next visit to the Alps next month, fingers crossed for more stable weather.

Away to Malawi for three weeks

I am now off to Malawi for three weeks leading for outlook Expeditions.  

It's looks like it's going to be a great trip as we head to Lilongwe the capital on Monday, then spend the first 5 days working on a project for the Ministry of Hope and a local crisis nursery.  We then travel south to Mulanje for our 3 day trek over mount Mulanje.  Next we travel north to Lake Malawi itself and Cape Maclear for a little R&R and a kayak trip on the lake with an overnight camp on Domwe island.  Then finish off with a couple of days safari on the shire river and Liwonde National Park.  So no photos from me while I am away, but Yen will be holding fort and then check back here in three weeks time to hear how we got on.

A fun day out cycling to the seaside at Arnside

Our mid week ride ride this week took us to the seaside.  Well it was sunny, warm and and a great day for cycling.  So we headed out from Burneside, down through the lovely villages of Sedgwick, Beetham, Warnock and then to Silverdale on the coast.  We had a short stop looking out over the sands and trying to actually see the sea, which had completely disappeared over the horizon and left only a vast expanse of sand.  Then a short cycle took us to the very quaint village of Arnside again overlooking more sand, but with a very distinct seaside feel to it, where we stopped for a pie, pasty and coffee before making our way back along a similar route, through some lovely country lanes.

The bridge just outside Milnthorpe

The pretty village church in Beetham.

I think I have found my next bike.  It even comes complete with beer holders on either side of the front wheel.

I am sure the sea was supposed to be around here somewhere.

Tea and pies on the prom beside the seaside.  But ....errr...without the sea.

Even the bikes looked as if they were enjoying it.